Overview & Reviews

Chevrolet sells an impressively wide range of vehicles, from subcompact hatchbacks to huge vans and SUVs. If you're looking for a reasonably priced vehicle, odds are that Chevy will have something to fit your needs.

Chevrolet got its start in 1911. After William C. Durant had been ousted from General Motors, he joined forces with Swiss-born racecar driver Louis Chevrolet to found the Chevrolet Motor Car Company. The company's first offering was the Classic Six. Introduced in 1912, this five-passenger touring sedan could top 65 mph, fast for the time. Chevrolet's storied bowtie logo -- reportedly inspired by the wallpaper of a Paris hotel room that Durant stayed at -- made its first appearance in 1914.

By 1918, Chevrolet's profitability allowed Durant to purchase enough shares in GM to regain control. Chevrolet became another division of GM, and was its largest volume division by the mid-1920s. By 1927, Chevrolet outsold rival Ford, with sales in excess of 1 million units.

In the mid-1930s Chevrolet introduced independent front suspension, which provided a smoother ride over the rough roads of the day. The 1940s saw continued success with affordable coupes, sedans and pickup trucks catering to American families, farmers and businessmen.

By the mid-1950s, Chevrolet, GM's entry-level division, had added a V8 engine, power steering and brakes, power windows and air-conditioning to its list of available features, allowing luxury for those on a tighter budget. Around this time the iconic Bel Air model -- available in coupe, sedan, convertible and wagon body styles -- proved very popular. The company introduced its alluring Corvette in 1953; the vehicle was the first mass-produced car with a fiberglass body.

The 1960s saw the unveiling of the popular, air-cooled Corvair compact, which held the distinction of being the first domestic production car with all-around independent suspension. That decade also witnessed the launch of the compact Nova, the midsize Chevelle and the sporty Camaro, the latter Chevrolet's answer to the wildly successful Ford Mustang. The Camaro proved an instant hit, comprising 10 percent of Chevrolet's total sales in 1967, its first year of production.

In the 1970s, Chevy responded to changing preferences by introducing small cars like the Vega and the Chevette, and by downsizing larger models such as the Caprice and Malibu. The company combated the market domination of foreign nameplates in the 1980s by rolling out the Cavalier. By the end of that decade, trucks and SUVs had started to become increasingly popular with the general consumer, and the brand's mid- and full-size models continue to this day to be some of the most popular on the road.

The '90s and the early 2000s saw the company raising the performance bar with its Corvette (notably the Z06 and, later, ZR1 variants) and reincarnated Impala SS. Chevrolet's Silverado pickup truck and Tahoe/Suburban SUVs continued to be hits as well. By 2010, the Camaro had returned to the lineup after a seven-year hiatus.

Modern times have seen Chevrolet make significant improvements in its small and midsize car models and introduce the Volt plug-in hybrid. The latter provides a nearly 40-mile range on electric power alone, and adds to the company's already well-rounded lineup of cars, trucks and SUVs. Though today's marketplace is very demanding, Chevrolet seems poised to remain a power player through its affordable and innovative vehicles.

User Reviews:

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  Trailblazin with LOTS of room - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By pofolks - March 17 - 10:00 am

  This SUV was made with the middle man in mind. Finally a SUV that has all the comforts and performances of the "bigger brother" at a lower cost. Excellent truck for the price

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  LOVE IT - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Bill Behrendt - March 17 - 10:00 am

  This is my first NEW Chevy ever. I loved the looks and after a test drive I was hooked. Handles great acceleration for a 200 Hp engine is good. It spins the rubber quite fine from a dead stop. I get a lot of complements and women like it!

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  Trading it in after 4 months - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Walker - March 17 - 10:00 am

  Owned vehicle for 4 months. Air conditioning has gone out three times and the dealer tells me that it is very very common. In fact, he told me that it may go out again. Squeeky back window and horrible suspension. The seats are confortable if you are under 6 feet tall. Gas mileage is good for the engine size. If you dont mind not having air conditioning its a great vehicle, just make sure to visit it once or twice in the shop. We have a 2001 Chevy 3500 and a 2002 Corvette with no problems. Chevy just hasnt gotten the Trailblazer down, time for us to look to Jeep for help with an SUV

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  I love this truck - 1994 Chevrolet Blazer
  By matthew - March 17 - 2:50 am

  I got my 94 full size Blazer from my dad when he got a new truck and he had it for 14 years and I have had it for one year and I have always wanted this truck I told him if he ever gets a new truck I want the Blazer and for the age of the vehicle and miles I must say it still runs good but sense this truck is 15 years old and has had long miles and off roading use it has needed a new axle broke it on a rock needs new transmission and engine but all because of the use it went threw but for 15 there has been nothing better. Everyone keeps saying its junk and its going to die soon and that I shouldnt put money into it and I said well u know but I love this truck and I will have it till I die.

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  99 silverado LS z71 330,000 miles and still strong - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Will - March 16 - 11:48 pm

  Best truck Ive ever owned original 5.3 v8 engine with 330,000 miles on it and still runs great still hauls and tows everything I put in bed or hook to hitch. Only design flaw is the common lifter tap and having to pull the heads to replace the lifters other tgen that I love this truck and I will rebuild it when time comes

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  Nice Economy car for a good price - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By PD - March 16 - 9:46 pm

  Just got the car today. Its a base auto with AC and ABS. It drives and rides pretty good for an economy car. Gets very good gas mileage so far 30+ mpg. Got mine for 12.5k which is a great price for a new car. Its not the most exciting car to drive, but thats not why I bought it.

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  One of the last of the GOOD Trucks! - 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By PHXGuy - March 16 - 9:45 pm

  This is one of the greatest vehicles I have ever owned. Mine, though it has 150K miles, was extremely well cared for. Safe, reliable, fun to drive, easy to park(tight turning radius)and there really is no substitute for a Chevy 350 V8!! Mileage is better than I expected 16+mpg around town. (has aftermarket air filter) Ive owned 3 Suburbans and never ot more than about 12mpg with them. Of course that was in my younger, heavy foot days! (and cheap gas)Its a classy looking truck and somewhat rare to find in the 2door body style. I agree with another reviewer here.. ..If you can find one of these in good condition, BUY IT! They dont make them like this anymore. A true classic!

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  Great Car - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By BJP - March 16 - 9:22 pm

  I bought this car about 4 months ago and I love it! The overall quality of the car is great. I could not ask for a better car. Great on gas, sleek design, roomy and comfy. Could not ask for a better car

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  Nice Whip - 1996 Chevrolet Lumina
  By major figgaz - March 16 - 6:51 pm

  I bought mine couple of months ago it is dark green it has good looking rims. I just gotta tune it up and get the intake manifold gasket fixed. The interior was left really dirty but I cleaned it up as much as i can but there is still stains in some places. I really like the car its prob the only car in Chevy thats reliable.

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  Wylie Coyote Camaro - 2016 Chevrolet Camaro
  By DAVID NEAL - March 16 - 5:46 pm

  Do your research on the camaro forums. Find a good dealer. Know what you want in options. Buy it .